Heading into the last few weeks of summer, with the kids still off from school we wanted to make the best of the weather and Keith's time off. We tried to get out of town but with everyone still on holiday in France it was impossible to get a hotel anywhere. Then we went to church on Sunday (the American Church of Paris) and discovered that they were holding a week long vacation bible school. Hmm....maybe this would be a good adjustment for the kids to get back in school mode and it gives them a chance to make new friends. Oh and did I mention it was only 20 Euros!!! WOO HOO!! Plus, Keith had already taken time off so it would give Keith and I the chance to get some stuff done in our apartment that would be difficult with the kids there. It was a win, win. Lance is a sport and goes off no problem when dropping him off to different places, Peyton can be a challenge but we have learned it is a big act, once we leave she just jumps right in. The kids had a blast and the church did such a wonderful job with almost 60 kids all week. They even taught the kids songs they they sang at church the following Sunday. Lance's exact words when picking him on the last day " This was the best morning ever!"

All the kids getting ready to sing at mass, see if you can spot Lance.

In addition to Vacation Bible School we decided to discover some more of Paris. One afternoon we went to the Jardin des Plantes which had the world's oldest public zoo, La Menagerie. It opened in 1794 and too be honest it kind of shows its age but the kids really enjoyed it and the gardens were really really pretty. It was an area we had not been yet in Paris and we were so glad we went. Plus on the way home we stopped at a very well known American restaurant, Breakfast in American (BIA). Soooo Goood!

On another afternoon we went to the Jardin D'Acclimation, which is Paris' oldest children's amusement park. The kids were in their glory, they had bunches of rides, parks and even water areas for the kids, when it is hot out. Lance enjoyed the steam that was shot up out of the sidewalk, while Peyton was so excited that they had swings at this park. When I say swing I mean just the basic swings that are in every park around the US. It is really hard to find swings in Paris. No one knows why since it can't be a safety thing. Most of the parks in Paris would never pass safety inspections in the US. Anyway, Peyton was just the happiest on the swings. Lance also went on a obstacle ropes course where he did amazing.

Lance doing great on the obstacle course!

Then it appeared that summer was over in Paris. Not just because the parking spots that were wide open on the streets during the summer were now triple parked with cars, or not just because there seems to be an increase of dog poo on the streets, because the Parisians just can't grasp that if you have a dog you need to pick up after them but it was the fact that school was about to start.

My little boy was beginning Kindergarten and my baby girl is going into Preschool (or Nursery school in Paris). It also wasn't just the start of new classes but a new school, The International School of Paris. They had a chance to experience the school at the beginning of the summer since they went to camp there for a few weeks.

The first day was orientation with all the teachers and went fantastic. Lance loved it, especially since he already knew a few of his friends and they were in the same class. He had half days for the first week, so the kids could get adjusted and now is going full time. He was such a good boy the first day in. One of his friends, Bridget, was having a hard time so he held her hand going in to make her feel better. It was sooo sweet. (Don't worry Molly, his heart still belongs to you)

Peyton also had half days last week and this week so the younger kids could get adjusted. She did well and will be Miss Social before we know it. I can't wait for her to go full time!! Am I a bad mom for saying that out loud. Remember she is 3, for those of you that have kids, I find 3 to be such a tough age, not terrible two's but crazy 3's. The funny thing is that she just melts your heart sometimes because she can be so sweet, but it can turn so quickly...LOL!

It has not just been great getting the kids into school but we are meeting some amazing parents that are becoming some really great friends. It is amazing how people in the same situations just sworm to each other. I love it and it makes me feel more at home. Oh don't get me wrong I still have my moments that I just want to fly home because I can't find ingredients to make a basic cake, but meeting such great people brings me back to what a great place we are in and how we need to enjoy it. It will be over before we know it.

Lance with his Kindergarten teacher and friends, Bridget and Charlie.

Lance and his friend Bridget on the first day, going in.

Aside from the crazy schedules of getting the kids back to school Keith and I are just living everyday life and getting really excited about some good friends and family that are coming in the next couple of months. I can't wait!!!

So for now:

Life is Good in Paris :-)

Thanks for reading!

Alicia

As always I am just adding some fun pictures for fun.